An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.